The victim in the Safarov case did not confirm the prosecution's version of events in court.
At a Baku court hearing, the victim acknowledged the lack of evidence of the transfer of funds, which human rights activist Rufat Safarov is accused of embezzling. The victim's testimony underscored the inadequacy of the charges, the defense stated.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on February 16, Rufat Safarov, executive director of the human rights organization "Line of Defense," described his criminal prosecution at a Baku court hearing as government retaliation for his human rights work. Prosecution witnesses who testified in court on March 16 did not confirm that the victim approached Safarov to purchase a plot of land or transferred money to him. The prosecution's case is "falling apart like a house of cards," the human rights activist's lawyer stated. Rufat Safarov was detained in Baku on December 3, 2024, and later arrested on charges of fraud and hooliganism. According to investigators, Safarov embezzled 60,000 manat (approximately $36,000) that the victim, Natig Imanguliyev, had given him to purchase a plot of land and never received it back after the deal was cancelled. Safarov testified to the court that he had been provoked by security forces on the day of his arrest. According to Safarov, he was attacked in an underground parking garage, after which he grabbed his attacker by the belt and called for a security guard. However, a police car immediately appeared, and the human rights activist was detained.
A hearing in the case of Rufat Safarov was held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, where the victim, Natig Imanguliyev, answered questions from the defense, Safarov's mother, Tahira Takhirgyzy, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.
"When Rovshan Rahimova's lawyer began asking Imanguliyev questions, It turned out he had no evidence that he had transferred the money to Rufat. When asked why he had transferred such a large sum without formal documentation, Imanguliyev replied that "in the excitement" of buying a plot in Novkhani (a prestigious suburban community on the Caspian coast – note from a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent), he hadn't paid attention to these questions," Takhirgyzy said.
The allegations that Safarov defrauded the victim by taking the money but not selling the plot appeared implausible from the start, lawyer Elchin Sadygov previously pointed out. "There's a procedure for concluding real estate purchase and sale transactions. The money is deposited with a notary, and only after the seller signs the sales contract is the money transferred to him. Why on earth would Imanguliyev just hand over the money to Safarov?" he said.
According to Takhirgyzy, when asked why police came to the underground parking lot during the incident between him and Safarov, Imanguliyev said the officers were allegedly on the premises at the time to buy water at a store near the building where the human rights activist lived.
"The lawyer asked, 'How do you know the police came for water?' and 'How did they end up in the garage underneath the building?'" "Imanguliev simply couldn't answer clearly," the human rights activist's mother said.
According to data obtained by Safarov's defense from mobile operators, before the parking lot incident, Imanguliev had telephone conversations with three police officers involved in Safarov's arrest.
Safarov himself, according to her, drew attention to the discrepancy between Imanguliev's testimony during the investigation and in court to show that "the case was fabricated."
Rufat said he doesn't expect justice from the court.
"Rufat said he doesn't expect justice from the court. He urged the judges to finish quickly, because every time he arrives at court in a Penitentiary Service car "This only causes him additional suffering," Takhirgizi said.
The human rights activist also addressed the court with messages to the US State Department, the European Union, and the Council of Europe. He emphasized "the importance of due respect for universal values and attention to the protection of human rights worldwide."
"Unfortunately, at a time when the human rights situation in Azerbaijan is so dire, I cannot continue my work as a human rights activist for reasons beyond my control. The ruling regime is taking revenge on me precisely because of my human rights activities," Takhirgizi recounted her son's words.
Rufat Safarov personally carried out and organized much of the work of the human rights organization "Line of Defense." With his arrest, the organization's ability to operate would be curtailed, a colleague of the human rights activist stated in December 2024. The US and UK then expressed concern in connection with the persecution of Safarov
The victim's answers to the defense's questions demonstrated the inconsistency of the charges, since the victim himself admitted the lack of evidence of the transfer of money to Safarov, commented on the results of the hearing, lawyer Rovshana Rahimova.
In Azerbaijan, there are clear rules for concluding real estate transactions, and they must be approved by a notary; without this, no buyer transfers money to the seller, the lawyer noted.
A court employee told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the next hearing in the Safarov case will be held on May 4. Imanguliyev and representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.
As a reminder, on December 8, 2025, the testimony of the victim Natig Imanguliyev was heard. The voiced At the hearing, the victim's version of the location of the conflict conflicted with the materials provided by the defense.
On January 26, Natig Imanguliyev admitted in court that he had not undergone a medical examination. However, the investigation materials include a doctor's report. Thus, the victim's testimony became further confirmation of the theory that the case was fabricated and Safarov's innocence.
Safarov had already been subject to criminal prosecution
Rufat Safarov is the son of Eldar Sabiroglu (Safarov), co-founder of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, who served as a member of parliament from 1995 to 2000, and then until 2013 He headed the press service of the Ministry of Defense. In 2019, Rufat Safarov received threats demanding that he cease his opposition activities. His mother also received death threats. In May 2022, Safarov was one of the organizers of a rally against the persecution of activists and journalists, and threats of arrest were conveyed to him through his father.
Previously, Rufat Safarov worked as an investigator for the Zerdab District Prosecutor's Office. In September 2016, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison on charges of bribery. Safarov himself did not admit guilt, stating the political nature of the case. Before his arrest, he submitted a letter of resignation in disagreement with the policies of the Azerbaijani government. In March 2019, Safarov was pardoned. A year later, he and like-minded individuals founded the human rights organization "Line of Defense."
On February 17, 2026, the ECHR ordered the Azerbaijani authorities to pay Rufat Safarov 4,000 euros in compensation for violating his right to a fair trial in 2016.